Manitoba lodge-owner owed $3M from MANFF for housing evacuees

Misty Lake Lodge owner Mike Bruneau said he had to close his lodge and lay off workers on account of having not yet received a $3-million payment from MANFF for housing flood evacuees from a 2011 flood.

He said the Manitoba Association of Native Firefighters owes him $3 million.

"I've lost my Lodge, all the staff are out of work, and if I get enough money back and I win I'm going to give some of those employees some money that I think I owe them," said Bruneau. "I didn't give them much notice — I had no choice."

Aboriginal and Northern Affairs is managing MANFF's debts and it wants Bruneau to negotiate a settlement.

But Bruneau wants the full amount.

The lodge needs thousands of dollars in repairs and is currently up for sale.